{
  "id": 4660840,
  "title": "Argentina great Messi announces international retirement",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/argentina-great-messi-announces-international-retirement",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-31T15:25:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTE News",
    "slug": "rte-news",
    "url": "https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2026/0831/1589851-argentina-great-messi-announces-international-retirement/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Argentina football star Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international play in an Instagram post. The 39-year-old captain, who began his senior debut for Argentina at just 18 years old, played 207 times for his country and netted 125 goals. Messi's international career culminated in their 2022 World Cup triumph, their third.\n\nMessi's decision to end his international career came in the wake of his father's passing in early August. In a statement, Messi expressed that while the decision was painful, it was the right time. He reiterated his commitment to the national team, despite the emotional difficulty. The former footballer praised the young players who will follow in his footsteps, acknowledging their potential.\n\nMessi thanked his family, teammates, coaches and managers for their support throughout his long career. He assured them he would remain a fan, cheering and supporting them from the sidelines.",
  "summary": "Argentina captain Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football in a statement on Instagram.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 10,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "El Pais",
        "title": "Leo Messi se retira de la selección argentina: “Duele en el alma, pero entiendo que es el momento”",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/leo-messi-se-retira-de-la-seleccion-argentina-duele-en-el-alma-pero",
        "published": "2026-08-31T15:15:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Argentina's Messi ends international career",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/argentinas-messi-ends-international-career",
        "published": "2026-08-31T15:16:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Lionel Messi announces retirement from Argentina national team",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/lionel-messi-announces-retirement-from-argentina-national-team",
        "published": "2026-08-31T15:22:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News AU",
        "title": "Breaking: Football great Lionel Messi announces retirement from Argentina team",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/breaking-football-great-lionel-messi-announces-retirement-from",
        "published": "2026-08-31T15:25:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "Lionel Messi says he is retiring from the Argentina national soccer team",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/lionel-messi-says-he-is-retiring-from-the-argentina-national-soccer",
        "published": "2026-08-31T15:46:26.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News (US)",
        "title": "Lionel Messi announces retirement from Argentina national team",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/lionel-messi-announces-retirement-from-argentina-national-team-4669506",
        "published": "2026-08-31T15:55:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "Lionel Messi announces retirement from international football with Argentina",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/lionel-messi-announces-retirement-from-international-football-with",
        "published": "2026-08-31T16:00:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Global News",
        "title": "Lionel Messi, soccer world champion, retiring from playing for Argentina",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/lionel-messi-soccer-world-champion-retiring-from-playing-for-argentina",
        "published": "2026-08-31T16:29:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Don't cry for me, Argentina: Lionel Messi retires from international football",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/dont-cry-for-me-argentina-lionel-messi-retires-from-international",
        "published": "2026-08-31T17:11:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}